Archive for February, 2015

They say a clear conscience is the best pillow. If this be true, it is also the first step to ensure one has pleasant dreams and a rejuvenated self in the morning. Unfortunately most of us go to sleep with a lot of anxiety, remorse, anger and hurt partly because we believe life has been unfair and also because we have a lot of unfinished agenda that keeps nagging us at bedtime. Obviously when we plant the seeds of negativity and frustration in our mind, chances are that we will end up either up with disturbed sleep or wake up with a start on seeing a nightmare. Either way our sleep is ruined, our anxiety more acute and the new day heading up to an anticipated disaster. For many, Monday morning blues are a recurring weekly nightmare and that perhaps is typical of the magnitude of the problem.

Yet with a little effort, a pinch of optimism and a large dose of fortitude one can ensure that each night brings us sound sleep, sweet dreams and ample opportunities every dawn. The trick lies in tweaking ones thoughts, words and deeds.

Acknowledge achievement – Every night instead of focusing on all the pending tasks, the unfinished works and the irritating challenges you have to cope with, let your thoughts be on the success you achieved during the day, the tasks you managed to complete, the progress you have made on tough tasks, appreciations received, appreciations given to others, the tasks that have been delegated and completed well by others etc. When the focus is shifted to achievements, success, progress and satisfaction the mind is calm, you are at peace and you sow the seeds of positive possibilities to wake up to the next morning.

Respect ones limitations – Our inability to say NO, our need to help others even at a cost to our self, our urge to commit way beyond our abilities and inability or refusal to accept that we have our limitations creates a disconnect within our self. Our mind is then filled with guilt, remorse, annoyance while our physical self is battling with stress, deadlines and self inflicted challenges. End of day we psyche ourselves into being bitter, stressed and deflated. On the other hand if we are willing to appreciate and accept our personal limitations, we would immediately refuse to take on responsibilities and challenges that are beyond our capabilities. For a brief moment we would feel guilty, inadequate and possibly worry about personal progress but in the long term we would be rid of anxiety, guilt and remorse. Our mind is now nurtured to grow the seeds of positive thoughts and success.

Focus on possibilities – Everyone is swamped with tasks big and small. Yet we let our self doubts, fears and insecurities overwhelm us. Consequentially we let our minds stray and linger on what we fear we will fail in, instead of identifying the innumerable possibilities that we can succeed in. Learn to visualize problems and challenges as opportunities to progress. By identifying the numerous possibilities we are fertilizing our minds to produce dreams that one can turn into reality.

Identify the goal – To channelize our energies and direct us to success, we need to narrow the possibilities into tangible goals that we must focus on. The goal is determined by our passionate interest, our determination to succeed and the price we are willing to pay to attain the goal. Goals could also be the culmination of numerous aligned possibilities e.g. eating right, exercising regularly, lifestyle changes are all possibilities that can be aligned to a larger goal of reducing weight or being more fit or overcoming an illness. The goal is the harvest that the mind expects to reap when the time is right.

Pursue with purpose – The dreams often get shattered when we wake up and realize that we merely dreaming. However a self directed dream is the self starter that helps one to activate mind body and soul and channelize all energies to attaining our goals. The goal is now translated into a purpose to which we are drawn, to which we commit and that which makes each moment more meaningful, energetic and motivating. This is when we till the soil, plough into the thick of action and sweat it out because there is a purpose that draws out the best in us.

Relish success – When we attain success we need to celebrate that success. This is equivalent to emptying the mind and setting our hearts free while soaking in the elation of success. We free up our resources to pursue new dreams, identify a new purpose and be enthused to chase our goals, our dreams and the success we crave for.

Try this:

Identify an NGO operating in the sphere of your passionate social objective. Join up them after determining how and in what manner you will contribute. Do you feel enthused once you join up. What will be your measure of success to determine how you have contributed to the cause.

Identify 5 social problems that you view as urgently needing attention. Choose the one that in your estimation does not get enough attention or support. Identify innovative ways to pursue your passion to address the social problem, get more people aware and enthused.